Leanna Garcia is a local artist and homeschooling mom of five. You’ll usually find her in the studio with a baby on her hip, running kids to practices or having date nights with her husband on their back porch. MY HEALTH CHALLENGE I was almost 39 weeks pregnant and having a “normal” labor at the […]
By Cheyenne Underwood We’ve all heard the phrase, “It takes a village,” but no one really prepares you for what it feels like when you must build that village yourself. When we moved to the Gulf Coast as a military family, I wasn’t just adjusting to a new house or a new city; I was […]
Shellie Davis is a mortgage underwriter and owner of a wedding venue, Cottonwood Manor, which allows her to be part of two of the biggest milestones in people’s lives. Q: Tell us about yourself and the impact you are making. A: On one side, I help couples build the foundation for their future through homeownership, […]
Photography by Brandi Stage Portraiture | Makeup/hair: Bria Fowler, Elle Louise, LLC Long before she was leading kitchens and shaping menus, Lauren Joffrion was a 4-year-old child perched atop a stepstool while helping her mother cook. “Growing up in a household that revolved around cooking, I felt a natural ‘pull’ toward the craft from an early age,” recalls […]
Moms may think their advice goes unheard and unheeded, and who could blame them? In the chaos of life, they often don’t get the appreciation they deserve for the priceless pearls of wisdom they dispense daily. Nonetheless, their words have far more impact than they realize. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we asked our audience […]
This Gulf Coast heat makes one thing clear: dressing for these sticky months is all about ease. It’s hot and humid, and the last thing anyone wants is to be weighed down with heavy layers. But dressing effortlessly doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style; that’s where my love for matching sets comes in. When temperatures […]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while the conversations around mental health have grown louder over the years, the need for intentional care has not changed. Mental health is not just something we address in moments of crisis. It is something we should nurture daily, just like our physical health. As a therapist, I […]
Great teachers don’t just impart facts and figures; they inspire self-confidence, encourage creativity and curiosity, nurture potential and promote their students’ welfare inside and outside of the classroom. We received hundreds of nominations, and we’re pleased to present GCW’s Top Teachers 2026 — exceptional educators who are empowering the next generation through knowledge, compassion and […]
About 100 Successful Women to Know Many talented, accomplished women on the Mississippi Gulf Coast don’t seek recognition for themselves, but Gulf Coast Woman magazine ensures they shine brightly with the “100 Successful Women to Know” campaign. This annual initiative celebrates influential and impactful South Mississippi female leaders, who represent areas ranging from nonprofits […]
Parenting doesn’t begin and end with bringing a child into the world — it’s a lifelong journey of decisions that shape their future and yours. And one of the most powerful ways to lead well as a parent is to lead wisely with your finances. Here’s some practical financial guidance to help you build stability, […]
